Little Daddy finds his calling

Lost a bit in all the hoopla surrounding Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Preview program was the performance the previous afternoon of Little Daddy, who returned to the main track and turned back from a mile to seven furlongs to trounce a strong group of second-level optional claimers by 8 1/4 lengths for owner-trainer Carlo Vaccarezza. The multiple-stakes-placed Little Daddy received a career-best 94 Beyer Figure.

“He ran a huge race and I think we have found his niche,” said Vaccarezza. “He looks like he wants to go between three-quarters and seven-eighths.”

Vaccarezza said that Little Daddy could run next in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight at Aqueduct, or if that comes up too soon he could run at Gulfstream Park in December.

Vaccarezza also said that Little Alexis continues to recuperate after suffering a severe reaction on the right side of her neck immediately after her ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Little Alexis spiked a 104 temperature and swelled up badly at the site of an injection she’d received to administer a routine vitamin jug a day before the Filly and Mare Sprint.

Little Alexis, who was withdrawn from the Fasig-Tipton mixed sale as a result of the incident, still had a very visible lump on her neck as she walked around her stall on the Gulfstream Park backstretch on Tuesday.

“She’s eating well and seems to be improving, although we won’t know until we scope her again Friday if she suffered any permanent paralysis in her throat as a result of what happened,” said Vaccarezza.